Chili

Actually we call this "Leckie Chili" because that is the family here who makes it. They have won year after year here in the chili competition in October and I convinced them to give me their recipe because it's the ONLY chili my kids will eat. And since it's on the stove now simmering for tonight's chili-cheese-fries dinner (we're fancy, I know), I thought I would share it:

1/2 lb. bacon, chopped into little pieces on the bottom of the pan
add to it: 1 lb. of sausage and 1 lb. of ground beef

Cook and drain fat.
-sprinkle with liquid smoke
-add 1.5 pkg of McCormick Chili seasoning packets and .5 of HOT McCormick's chili seasoning
(so two packets total)
- add 9-10 oz. of Jack Daniel's BBQ sauce
drain and add 2 cans of beans
1-2 cups of water
optional- peppers cut up
Simmer

That's it. I've made it WITH those name brand things and w/o and haven't noticed a difference. Also following the recipe as is leaves it kinda with a kick. Brooks is surprised I can even eat it!!! I think it's the 2 packets. So sometimes I just cook it with one regular chili seasoning packet and it's a little less chili-in-your-face tasting. I guess it's just to your preference. The BBQ sauce and bacon make this.